About Gemstones

The garnet
is a symbol of friendship, love and devotion. Legend holds that Noah
used the brilliant stone as a boat lamp. It is also the birthstone for
January and the suggested gift for the second anniversary.

Romans
believed the amethyst would ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus
- the god of wine. Amethyst was also thought to protect soldiers and
bring them victory. And, in the Middle Ages, only persons of noble birth
were allowed to wear them. Amethyst is the birthstone for February.

Blue, the
world's most popular color, is famous for its calming effect, and out of
all the blues available none match the serenity found in Aquamarine.
Aquamarine embodies all that is natural. Aquamarine, the sparkling
birthstone for March, ranges from pastel blue to light green, its tones
reminiscent of an invigorating sea breeze.

Diamonds
with inclusions easily identified through a loupe. Finding flaws in this
category with the naked eye is difficult. The gems in this category
maintain their integrity, depending on the location of the inclusions.
They are an attractive choice when working within a fixed budget without
sacrificing beauty or value.

Known to
bring good fortune, the emerald is said to empower its owner with
foresight. Its rich green hues reflect nature and symbolize fertility,
rebirth and springtime. Legends claim wearing an emerald will strengthen
memory, guard against evil spirits and reveal the truth of a lover's
love. Once a favorite of Cleopatra, emeralds are the birthstone of May.

Old Arabian
legend suggests the pearl was formed when dewdrops filled with moonlight
fell into the ocean and were swallowed by oysters. Cultured pearls are a
traditional gift for brides, June birthdays and third and thirtieth
wedding anniversaries, and are believed to have life-giving powers to
restore youth.

The fiery
color of the ruby symbolizes devotion and desire. It was once believed
that the wearer of a ruby was blessed with health, wealth, wisdom and
outstanding success in affairs of the heart. Ruby is the birthstone for
July and the anniversary gemstone for the fifteenth and fortieth wedding
anniversaries.

Are peridots
the divine tears wept by Pele, Hawaiian goddess of the volcano? Or the
powerful talismans against evil of ancient Egyptian lore? Today, people
prize the fresh green color of this gemstone, the birthstone for August
and the suggested gift for the sixteenth wedding anniversary.

Although "sapphiru"
means blue in Latin, sapphires can be found in a rainbow of colors.
Kings once believed these stones offered protection from harm and envy.
Sapphire is the traditional gift for the fifth and forty-fifth wedding
anniversaries and the birthstone for September.

Arabs
believed opals fell from heaven in flashes of lighting and thus acquired
the unique glow of internal fire. Some believe opals give their owners
the gift of prophecy. Others consider the stone a fitting symbol of
hope, innocence and purity. The opal is the birthstone for October and
the suggested gift for the fourteenth wedding anniversary.

Citrine was
first used in jewelry in Greece during the Hellenistic period (end of
the 4th to the end of the 1st century BC).
The first use of Citrine by the Romans was in intaglios (a gem carved in
negative relief) and cabochons in the first centuries after the birth of
Christ.

The gemstone
of fiery starlight, Jewish legends say that Zircon was the name of the
guardian angel sent to watch over Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Zircon's brilliant luster, fire and bright hues makes it an enjoyable
addition to any jewelry collection.